Nicol prism

Nicol prism
Prism Prism (pr[i^]z'm), n. [L. prisma, Gr. pri`sma, fr. pri`zein, pri`ein, to saw: cf. F. prisme.] 1. (Geom.) A solid whose bases or ends are any similar, equal, and parallel plane figures, and whose sides are parallelograms. [1913 Webster]

Note: Prisms of different forms are often named from the figure of their bases; as, a triangular prism, a quadrangular prism, a rhombic prism, etc. [1913 Webster]

2. (Opt.) A transparent body, with usually three rectangular plane faces or sides, and two equal and parallel triangular ends or bases; -- used in experiments on refraction, dispersion, etc. [1913 Webster]

3. (Crystallog.) A form the planes of which are parallel to the vertical axis. See {Form}, n., 13. [1913 Webster]

{Achromatic prism} (Opt.), a prism composed usually of two prisms of different transparent substances which have unequal dispersive powers, as two different kinds of glass, especially flint glass and crown glass, the difference of dispersive power being compensated by giving them different refracting angles, so that, when placed together so as to have opposite relative positions, a ray of light passed through them is refracted or bent into a new position, but is free from color.

{Nicol's prism}, {Nicol prism}. [So called from Wm. Nicol, of Edinburgh, who first proposed it.] (Opt.) An instrument for experiments in polarization, consisting of a rhomb of Iceland spar, which has been bisected obliquely at a certain angle, and the two parts again joined with transparent cement, so that the ordinary image produced by double refraction is thrown out of the field by total reflection from the internal cemented surface, and the extraordinary, or polarized, image alone is transmitted. [1913 Webster]


The Collaborative International Dictionary of English. 2000.

Игры ⚽ Поможем сделать НИР

Look at other dictionaries:

  • Nicol prism — or Nicol [nik′əl] n. [after Wm. Nicol (1768? 1851), Brit physicist, who invented it (1828)] a prism consisting of two crystals of clear calcite cemented together, used for obtaining polarized light …   English World dictionary

  • Nicol prism — A Nicol prism A Nicol prism is a type of polarizer, an optical device used to produce a polarized beam of light from an unpolarized beam. See polarized light. It was the first type of polarizing prism to be invented, in 1828 by William Nicol… …   Wikipedia

  • Nicol prism — Nikolio prizmė statusas T sritis fizika atitikmenys: angl. Nicol prism vok. Nicolprisma, n; Nicolsches Prisma, n rus. призма Николя, f pranc. prisme de Nicol, m …   Fizikos terminų žodynas

  • Nicol prism — Nic·ol prism (nikґol) [William Nicol, Scottish physicist, 1768–1851] see under prism …   Medical dictionary

  • Nicol prism — [ nɪk(ə)l] noun a prism for producing plane polarized light, consisting of two pieces of optically clear calcite cemented together with Canada balsam. Origin C19: named after the Scottish physicist William Nicol …   English new terms dictionary

  • Nicol prism — /nik euhl/, Optics. one of a pair of prisms used to produce and analyze plane polarized light in a polarizing microscope. Also called Nicol. Cf. polarizer (def. 1). [1870 75; after William Nicol (1768 1851), British physicist, its inventor] * * * …   Universalium

  • Nicol prism — noun An optical device used to generate polarized light. “You are in mortal danger,” declared their Scientific Officer, Dr. Counterfly, a scholarly sort, bearded and bundled like the rest of them, his eyes concealed by a pair of ingenious goggles …   Wiktionary

  • Nicol prism — two slabs of Iceland spar cemented together and deflecting a ray of light in such a way that it is split in two, one part (the ordinary ray) being totally reflected and the other (polarized ray) passing through …   Medical dictionary

  • Nicol prism — noun optical device that produces plane polarized light • Hypernyms: ↑optical device …   Useful english dictionary

  • Nicol's prism — Prism Prism (pr[i^]z m), n. [L. prisma, Gr. pri sma, fr. pri zein, pri ein, to saw: cf. F. prisme.] 1. (Geom.) A solid whose bases or ends are any similar, equal, and parallel plane figures, and whose sides are parallelograms. [1913 Webster] Note …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

Share the article and excerpts

Direct link
Do a right-click on the link above
and select “Copy Link”